UNH sets fundraising record with $35.8M haul

By GRETYL MACALASTERUnion Leader CorrespondentJuly 30. 2013 10:09PMDURHAM — The University of New Hampshire Foundation had a banner fundraising year in Fiscal Year 2013, raising $35.8 million, including eight gifts of at least $1 million.

University of New Hampshire President Mark Huddleston credited the dedication and commitment of UNH’s alumni and friends.

The UNH development staff had set a goal to raise $28 million in FY13. Gifts and pledges in FY12 totaled $22.5 million, the most raised in the previous decade, according to university officials.

The previous fundraising record of $29.9 was set in 2002.

A gift of more than $5 million from Peter T. Paul will be used for academic and student programs in the new Paul College of Business and Economics, a building named in his honor.

In 2011, Paul made a record-setting gift of $25 million to be used toward the construction of the new $50 million business college in the center of campus.

“I believe UNH is one of my best investments, an investment I am proud to make,” Paul said in a statement released by the university on Friday. “UNH is my university. I graduated from here, and its success is important to me.”

Other highlights include a $1 million gift to the Sustainability Institute establishing The Thomas W. Haas Professorship in Sustainable Food Systems; the John and H. Irene Peters Professorship in the education department, funded by the Peters family; an endowed scholarship fund of more than $1 million from the estate of alumna Marilyn Rumley ’52 to provide financial aid and student support in the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture; scholarships for students in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, athletics and Northeast Passage; and student and program support in the performing arts.

“Success inspires success and builds momentum, and this is especially important as we continue to plan for a comprehensive campaign,” Debbie Dutton, president of the foundation and vice president of advancement, said. “We are pleased to have ended our fiscal year on such an incredibly high note.”